This class is no joke! She wrote the book so she knows if you read or not. Her course is designed to make sure that you can't slide by without doing the work and knowing the material. She will teach you to apply the law to ANY case. It it the most productive and well used way to spend my money. She is the definition of an awesome professor. Her classes are full of energy and passion for the law as she is. If you like to slack off or sleep in and miss class drop out now because she is unavoidable and you will fail. She teaches work ethic and being responsible so you can earn your grade and be proud of it. Fantastic!!!

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Subject:

Take her if you want to learn...(Mar 29 2010, 10:08AM)

Student:

CJ (CJ)

Class:

Criminal Law/ Mock Trial (B)

21 of 29 students found this review helpful.

She is most likely the best Criminal Justice professor in Shippensburg. If you do the work you will learn an exponential amount about criminal justice. You must be able to take criticism in front of the class, sheís not going to make you look like a complete fool and you must understand she calls out EVERYONE!!!! You must do the homework and keep up with the readings if you plan on having any success. Do not be intimidated by the exams and quizzes, just study, youíre in college... study. You will get what you're paying for with this professor.

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Subject:

Best Prof Period(Mar 23 2010, 12:42AM)

Student:

Duane S (Cj)

Class:

Criminal law and Mock Trial (B+)

11 of 23 students found this review helpful.

Where should I start. Jirard is the best professor in the CJ department. She makes her classes interesting and fun. She is a little intimidating, but thats just how she is. Shes a sweetheart when you get to know her. It was one of my harder classes in the department but I appreciated taking Criminal law because it taught me SO MUCH! The way she teaches, the info stays in your head and you will be surprised how much you remember. It was one of my hardest classes here at ship but also my favorite. She is not a bullsh*t ass professor like some, she actually knows whats shes talking about (she wrote the book). Mock trial was a great class as well, if you are scared to speak in public and you want to get rid of this phobia I would suggest this class. She is phenomenal!!! I hate talking in front of people but she makes you so comfortable and she talks you through it, you have no choice but to get over it.... also if you're interested in Law then this is the class for you

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Subject:

She cares!!!(Jan 18 2010, 09:02PM)

Student:

Shaneika Goodman (CJ)

Class:

Criminal Law & Procedure (B)

9 of 29 students found this review helpful.

Professor Jirard is an awesome Professor. Just study and you will do fine. Group studying is definitely a plus.
You just have to keep up on the readings. It also helps to read the chapter prior to class...you'll really appreciate the lecture afterward. I am mad that I spent hours studying for the final when I could have not studied and still got an A. The Final was easier than both quizzes and exams because the material sticks with you and is easy to recognize. I learned so much in her class, especially the first week. This information will stick with you. Besides, she is HILARIOUS! She'll have you laughing all class!! I Love Her!

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Subject:

Take Her(May 22 2009, 01:10PM)

Student:

Jason (CJ)

Class:

Criminal Law and Procedure (C)

11 of 19 students found this review helpful.

This class was one of my most enjoyable classes that I have ever taken, even though you must read and reread then book to do well. Do the note cards too, that helps also. She acts crazy sometimes but that just makes the class all the more enjoyable. I like an easy class as much as the next person, but if you really WANT to learn something then take Stephanie, she's a great prof.

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Subject:

Best CRJ Prof(May 07 2009, 11:39PM)

Student:

Anonymous (CRJ)

Class:

CRJ 211, 370, & 390 (A)

9 of 15 students found this review helpful.

Okay so I've read through all the negative comments and seriously I'd choose Jirard over any other teacher on campus. I'm getting ready in the fall to take my 4th class with her. Those who have negative things to say should seriously consider why you are even in college. I'm not saying she's easy because she's not. But if you do what you're supposed to do aka the readings the quizzes and tests are cake. The tests aren't supposed to make you look stupid they're to show you how much you actually learned or in many of the negative posters' cases didn't learn. If you want a bit of a challenge and are in college to actually learn something about the field I highly recommend her. However, if you'd like to bum your way through college avoid her or if you simply feel the need to lower your QPA by all means try and slack your way through her class, it won't work. She's the best there is, she's been there, she's done it. Take what she has to offer because its a lot and if you really want to be a part of this field you need to know the stuff she's teaching. She'll get it through your head in class if you just read the damn book. It's not rocket science its called studying. Read carefully and you'll be fine.

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Subject:

One of the greatest(Mar 23 2009, 02:57PM)

Student:

Dejon (Criminal Justice)

Class:

Criminal Law and Procedure (B+)

7 of 19 students found this review helpful.

I absolutely loved her class. I avoided taking her class as long as I could because I was told that shes one of the hardest and strictest professors at Ship. All lies, fabrications...I was bamboozled. Yeah her class wasn't a cake walk and I actually had to read for once but I enjoyed the class. It was the one class I would actually wake up just to take. I recommend her to anyone who wants to actually learn useful things about the CJ system. Also don't try to bullsh*t if you didn't read the book. She wrote it...that kite won't fly.

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Subject:

AMAZING!(Oct 21 2008, 06:53PM)

Student:

Anonymous (Psych)

Class:

Criminal Law and Procedure (--)

8 of 16 students found this review helpful.

If you don't want to do work, study, or put forth effort during your time in college, then do not take Dr. Jirard. If you can handle doing all of the above, then I would seriously recommend taking her. She is a tough professor and she expects a lot out of her students, but I have learned so much from her so far this semester. She is very energetic, positive, and passionate about what she does and that makes class interesting and enjoyable. She is incredibly knowledgeable about the law, and she explains everything so well and so thoroughly using real world examples that has really helped me to understand the material. ALWAYS read the chapters and fill out the notecards for the exams because they will help a lot. Do your homework and turn it in, and you will be fine. Yes, she does have a tendency to call on you and put you on the spot which can be very intimidating, but she does it so that you can understand the pressures of the real world. As long as you pay attention, you'll be fine because she'll walk you through what she's looking for if you put forth a little effort. As long as you try, she will love you, I promise. Her method of teaching is very different from what most people are used to, but she wants you to be able to understand and apply what you've learned rather than simply memorizing and regurgitating the material word for word. As long as you read the chapters, take good notes, show up for class and pay attention, fill out the notecards for the exams, and most importantly, STUDY, you will do well in the class.

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Subject:

WONDERFUL(Oct 05 2008, 01:52PM)

Student:

J (CRJ)

Class:

Law and Procedure (A-)

8 of 16 students found this review helpful.

She applies everything to real life. You learn about almost every law and LOVE it.. Her tests are all essay, but you get to use a note card. I even scored a 99% on her huge essay final. You do need to study and read the book and highlight, but if you do, her class is a breeze, and will be interesting too. Her stories are great and she is so energetic. I felt I was ready to be a cop just after I took her class. She has experience cause she was an attorney, which is what you want. Do the homework, and you'll do fine.

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Subject:

Awesome..but hard!(Mar 23 2007, 02:10PM)

Student:

Anonymous (Criminal Justice)

Class:

Criminal Law and Procedure (A)

9 of 17 students found this review helpful.

Prof Jirard is an awesome professor. She def. knows her stuff and does not like it if you do not. She will literally stop class if no one is participating and she always tells it how it is. She has an uncanny ability to get the point across to students and make things interesting. Just be prepared to write essays, as that is all her tests consist of. I def. struggled to keep an A in that class..but i'm pretty sure that half the class failed because they thought that they would just be able to show up and that would be good enough. Not for this class!!!

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Subject:

A Good Teacher(Jan 16 2007, 05:55PM)

Student:

Anonymous (Criminal Justice)

Class:

Criminal Law & Procedure (B+)

11 of 27 students found this review helpful.

Professor Jirard isn't like your everyday teacher. She has spunk and passion for the courses she teaches. Yes she puts you on the spot a lot but that's to challenge you and make you think and actually do the work. She never gets mad if you don't know the answers, but her personality makes you want to learn the answers. Her classes are fun, exciting, and sure made having an 8am worth going to. I was actually excited to go to her class. Give her a chance and you'll want to have her for another class later on.

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Subject:

I really enjoyed this class(Nov 27 2006, 09:28AM)

Student:

Anonymous (Criminal Justice)

Class:

Criminal Law and Procedures (B)

16 of 23 students found this review helpful.

This is a class that is not for slackers. You must understand everything and you must keep up with the readings and go to class regularly to pass. This class is very interesting and the teacher makes you understand the subject. Not an easy class, but well worth the effort.

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Subject:

Excellent(Oct 24 2006, 01:47AM)

Student:

Bryan Clark (Criminal Justice)

Class:

Criminal Law and procedure (--)

12 of 21 students found this review helpful.

I can understand that some people would give negative comments about Dr. Jirard. Why? Because she can be a difficult teacher, but she makes it interesting and presents a challenge and thats what I wanted. I learned a lot in her class and I always enjoyed them cuz she is absolutely insane, but in a positive way. Always found a way to make me laugh. Yes she gives rather difficult tests where you have to be very careful with. But just pay attention and study and you should be fine. I messed up on the first quiz cuz I took it way too lightly. Then the time came for the first test and I kicked ass. This is college people, its time to grow up and work.

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Subject:

Awesome(May 19 2006, 08:23AM)

Student:

Anonymous (Criminal Justice)

Class:

Criminal Law and Procedure (B)

12 of 20 students found this review helpful.

Professor Jirad is awesome. She really brings the law to life. She uses real life examples which aid in a better understanding. People warned me to not take her. I would have to sooner or later. I now have a better understanding of the law than I ever did. I highly recommend this prof to anyone that is truely interested in criminal law.

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Subject:

tough, but definitely worth it(May 18 2006, 06:54PM)

Student:

CS (CRJ)

Class:

Criminal Evidence (B+)

12 of 22 students found this review helpful.

Prof. Jirard, in all honestly, is one of the toughest profs at SHIP. Despite this, you will learn so much in her class. She preprares you for life after college. The class isn't easy, you HAVE to do the readings, but if you truly care about your grade and your education and do the work, you'll have no trouble doing well in the class. With all the experience that Jirard brings to the table, she is one of the most effective teachers ever.

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Subject:

Only if you want to learn(Apr 06 2006, 10:09AM)

Student:

Anonymous (Criminal Justice)

Class:

Criminal Law and Procedures (--)

24 of 34 students found this review helpful.

Professor Jirard is one of the best Crim Justice profs there is. Her class isn't a walkthrough, you do have to apply effort but you learn more from her than any other professor. She does have essay tests but she grades more on what you say not how you say it. And to offset any bad test grades she has you answer problems from the book and as long as you do the work you get the five points for each assignment right or wrong. You do need your book for each class and have to read the chapters beforehand but as long as you do you'll have no problem with her class.

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Subject:

makes you learn(Feb 27 2006, 02:36PM)

Student:

Anonymous (Criminal Justice)

Class:

criminal law and procedure (B)

15 of 23 students found this review helpful.

She was a good prof. She was difficult, but commanded your attention the whole class. learning about the law is pretty boring, but her classes weren't that bad. She is a big help if you just go and see her at her office.

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Subject:

Awesome Professor(Jan 17 2006, 04:56PM)

Student:

Anonymous (CRJ)

Class:

Criminal Law/Mock Trial (A)

8 of 19 students found this review helpful.

Jirard has only improved the CRJ department here at Ship. Her classes are challenging, so if you don't like the challenge then don't take her. I would rather have someone challenge me like Jirard than having Bricker and Dr. J teach me any day. Her classes are interesting and she treats you with respect. Unlike other teachers in the CRJ department, Jirard shows up for class to teach not to let you out of class after 15 minutes. She is truly a wonderful person outside of the classroom as well. Heck, anyone who likes Napoleon is good in my book. Take her if you have the chance. I'm sure you won't regret it!

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Subject:

Great teacher(Jan 17 2006, 01:44AM)

Student:

Anonymous (CJ)

Class:

Select topics Mock Trial (A)

15 of 23 students found this review helpful.

Its all about Bricker in the CJ major. Yea, well it should be all about Jirard now. When it comes to trial stuff and knowing the law, this lady knows her sh*t. She teaches......yea, imagine that. Her classes DO take work, but its college, deal with it. Mock trial was great, she would critique you and then you could apply what you learned at least once every two weeks. Oh, its not for the 'scared of public speaking' pansies. She makes you sing on the first day of class. Great professor, excellent class, just not 'easy' by any means.

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Subject:

Best Prof in CJ(Jan 06 2006, 03:10PM)

Student:

LT (Criminal Justice)

Class:

Law and Society (A)

17 of 28 students found this review helpful.

Professor Jirard is an awesome educator. Anyone who has taken her courses will tell you the same. What you learn in Criminal Law and Procedures, for example, can be applied in almost all of your CJ classes thereafter. Sadly, she will no longer be teaching Law and Society. The class was the easiest course Professor Jirard taught. As long as you did the homework, you got 10 points. As long as you applied the media to the reading assignment, you got 10 points. Plus she cancelled half of the assignments and quizzes. There were only 2 10-page papers in APA format, each with a 1st rough draft, 2nd rough draft, and a final draft. The first had to be 6 pages and was worth 25 points. The second had to be 8 pages, and all you had to do was bring it in to be looked at by another student, also worth 25 points. The final draft had to be 10 pages, and reflect the changes she asked of you in the first draft. There was plenty of time to complete the drafts, and having two rough drafts helped students not procrastinate completing the final draft. For the first paper, you had to give a 5 minute presentation on your paper topic. Nothing complicated; just tell the class what you found out through your research and answer some questions from Professor Jirard. Not a hard class. The lowest grade received in the class was a B. She is an outstanding mentor to anyone who seeks her out. She doesn't say what you want hear, she says what you need to hear.

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Subject:

Great Teacher(Nov 03 2005, 04:44PM)

Student:

Anonymous (CJ)

Class:

Criminal Law and Proc. (--)

10 of 19 students found this review helpful.

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DO ANY WORK DON'T TAKE HER. She knows what she is talking about and she is an extremely interesting person. She is very experienced. She works her students hard but they actually learn something. I was afraid to take this course after some of the things I heard but itís not so bad. She is always willing to answer questions. If she sees you slipping she'll take you aside and tell you what you need to do in order to do better in her class. She is not an easy teacher but as long as you work hard and show up for class you will be fine. She grades hard and focuses on application not definition. Itís a lot of work but youíll enjoy the class! If youre lazy donít even bother taking it.

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Subject:

AWESOME(Jan 03 2005, 01:58PM)

Student:

Anonymous (Criminal Justice)

Class:

Criminal Law, Law and Society (A)

9 of 13 students found this review helpful.

Prof. Jirard is an amazing prof. She not only has a lot of experience, but she teaches the course like it is supposed to be taught. The energy and intelligence brought to shippensburg university by prof. Jirard was the best move the department/university has made.

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Subject:

Awesome(Dec 15 2004, 01:27PM)

Student:

LT (Criminal Justice)

Class:

Criminal Law and Procedure (B)

14 of 26 students found this review helpful.

Prof. Jirard is an awesome professor. All the other CJ profs just like to tell stories about their work in the CJ field and are slackers when it comes to actually teaching their courses. Prof. Jirard makes you think on your feet. She actually cares about what her students get out of her class in order to help them prepare for a JOB in the CJ field. A professor that cares? Who knew? Take her class! You'll not only learn the material, but be able to apply it. How often does that happen?

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Subject:

Da best(Nov 18 2004, 11:12AM)

Student:

Junior (CJ)

Class:

Law and Society (A)

11 of 20 students found this review helpful.

I've had Prof. Jirard for 2 semesters and it is true you learn more in her class than any other. She's exciting and gets you involved with her teaching. All the people who say her stuff is to hard are just f'ing lazy and are pissed you can't just float through her class. Law and Society started off with 42 people and ended up with 18. People freaked out that there were 3 10 page papers, but you know what, it wasn't that bad and class was always interesting.....She also is very involved with what you plan to do after college she will give you advice and help with applications and believe me she knows her sh*t. Take her, you might actually learn something.

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Subject:

Awesome Prof(Oct 26 2004, 11:51PM)

Student:

Anonymous (CJ)

Class:

Criminal Law & Procedure (--)

10 of 18 students found this review helpful.

I'm taking Jirard now and let me tell you, I've learned more in her class than I have in my previous cj classes combined. She really knows her stuff and wants to make sure her students do well. Yeah her tests are a little difficult, but if you study you'll do fine. And if you are a little unsure just go to her office and she's MORE than willing to help you out. Her enthusiasm during class makes it interesting and is hilarious. I will admit, during the first 2 weeks of class I was a little worried about taking it, but then it was cool. The only thing I didn't really like was that she just randomly calls on people. But once you get comfortable with the class and being there it's cool. Make sure you read the cases from the chapters. She asks about those when going over each chapter. And also, for your note cards, don't just write down all the bold face words. Make sure you know the elements of things too. Because on tests you have to know crimes and their elements. Her notes are mainly from PowerPoint and she discusses them thoroughly and some things she writes on the board too. She'll make it known what you definitely need to know. Anyway, overall I really liked Jirard and would definitely take her again. Most people who don't like her basically are afraid of having to do work. God forbid you go to college and have to take a course that requires reading with a lot of info. If you wanna take a good prof who knows her stuff and actually teaches something take Jirard hands down!

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Subject:

Spellbound is Right(Mar 29 2004, 04:27PM)

Student:

Dubstar (CJ)

Class:

Criminal Law and Procedure (B-)

8 of 23 students found this review helpful.

Professor Jirard emphasizes perfection with her spelling. That's too bad that some people get mad at being pushed to perfection. It's also too bad that some people get mad with a professor actually telling you she won't be available at her office hours but will be at another time. She tells you what to change in the text book and how she'll want you to know it. She tells you to use the IRAC method of writing and if you do it and she grades the essay in that format. IF you don't use it you get a bad grade. She told you to use it so use it. Also she gives out of class assignments which aren't difficult and gives alternate assignments if you won't make it. SPELLBOUND was a funny movie and I rented it just cause I missed it on campus. She's a good prof but difficult. If you want to be pushed and learn something at college take her! []

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Subject:

Good stuff(Mar 26 2004, 01:51PM)

Student:

We Already Won (CJ)

Class:

Criminal Law and Procedure (B+)

9 of 18 students found this review helpful.

I don't know what everyone is talking about. Yah the tests are kind of hard but if everyone wouldn't be such pussy's about it and actually study its not that hard. Do the work and there isn't a problem. And she does know her sh*t....more so than half of the professors on this campus.

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Subject:

Very Interesting Teacher(Mar 24 2004, 01:14PM)

Student:

Mr. Pac (CJ)

Class:

Law and Society (B+)

9 of 21 students found this review helpful.

Professor Jirard is one of the most interesting and entertaining teachers that i have ever had. She has made me think about law in many ways and helped me understand the postive part of my work. In Law and Society, she graded very easily on all of her quizes(automatically get 100% for taking it). One downfall is that there are 3 papers (which are due in increments), and only one test (the final).....This class is great because it is a 400 level class and she doesnt treat us like children...I encourage people to take it, because it is actually fun!

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Subject:

best prof in school(Mar 23 2004, 05:53PM)

Student:

Anonymous (criminal justice)

Class:

law and procedure and society (B)

7 of 17 students found this review helpful.

Do not listen to the other comments. I know it is hard to believe when there is only one good one but hear me out. I am not a hard worker. I dont like studying and she made me like it. She has been around the block so she knows what she is talking bout. [] She makes every attempt to help you out. She geniunely cares about her students and wants to help them. It is not a hard class at all. Just do your work. Thats it. She is teaching 400 level classes so you cant expect her to teach like a Gen Ed teacher who doesnt care. She makes you respell your words because shes trying to help. Anyway shes the best prof Ive ever had and I think every student in my class would agree

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Subject:

She's cool(Mar 19 2004, 03:29AM)

Student:

Anonymous (Criminal Justice)

Class:

Law and Procedure (B+)

10 of 20 students found this review helpful.

I don't care what all these people are saying about Jirard, she's really nice and interesting. Given, her classes may not be the easiest, by I wouldn't call them hard. She may seem a little eccentric and anal about things like spelling but she does her thing and I enjoyed her a lot.

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Negative Comments

(5)

Subject:

S-P-E-L-L-B-O-U-N-D(Jan 13 2004, 01:17PM)

Student:

Anonymous (criminal justice)

Class:

criminal law and procedure (C)

10 of 21 students found this review helpful.

[Comments too long to fit in this space.]Click Here to read this comment.

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Subject:

What the...(Jan 06 2004, 10:17PM)

Student:

Anonymous (CJ)

Class:

Criminal Law & Procedures (B)

14 of 24 students found this review helpful.

What were they thinking when they hired this women? Everything that everyone else has said pretty much is the jist of her class. There must be a reason that she is not in the court room anymore...Gee lets look at this trend Naval JAG, to a federal public defender, to Missouri, to SHIP??? What the heck... Oh, make sure you can spell because elsewise you go back to 1st Grade so you can learn, writing out the word 10x and then using it...whatever. Oh yes, don't go by the book definition on the use of insanity if you plan on getting it right on the test. Even though the exact book def. is one of the MC answers on the test...it's wrong ???? Ahh yes she also likes public embarrassment, over all I expected more from a FORMER military officer...AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!!

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Subject:

This lady is way out there(Nov 23 2003, 07:59PM)

Student:

Anonymous (Criminal Justice)

Class:

Criminal Evidence (D)

8 of 18 students found this review helpful.

The 1st day of class she gave some lecture about how she doesn't accept typical college essay answers, which she said were short on facts and basically just a bunch of filler about nothing. Well, she was right. She grades the essays really hard. Each exam has two essays on it, plus some short answer and mult. choice questions. She wants you to do your essays in IRAC format, which I had never heard of before. It's different, that's for sure. Not impossible, by any means, but it's a lot harder than what I'm used to. Be prepared to do some serious studying for the tests. You really have to know what you are talking about. She will give you a fact pattern, and you have to say how the court would rule on the issue and why, using a case to support your answer. You can't just b.s. your way through her exams like you can most other essay exams.
She might as well not even put her office hours on the syllabus, because she is never there when she says she is going to be, and she is constantly changing them for one reason or another. She doesn't assign projects, but she does have you attend several speakers on campus, plus some stupid spelling bee movie. She must have some spelling fetish, because she will also give you a spelling test if you spell something incorrectly on your homework or test. She likes to call on people who are not paying attention in class too, so be prepared. If she thinks you are not listening to what she is saying, she will try to embarrass you. 9 times out of 10, no one has any idea what she is talking about though. She will keep calling on people until someone gets the question right. She frequently has to go through 3/4 of the room till she finds someone though, so maybe that might tell you something about her teaching effectiveness. She uses powerpoint and overhead projectors for notes, and there are tons of them. If you can write quickly, you'll be ok, but if you are not so quick with the pen, you are going to have problems. She does not read right along with the slides either. The slides say one thing and she will be saying another. It's hard enough to keep up with just the slides. There is no way you can keep up with her and the slides, so you have to choose between the two. She does talk a little slower than Mennitti did though. I'll give her that much. She will give you one or two homework assignments each week, plus a chapter or so to read. She is really tight about her deadlines. If you are not in the hospital or something like that, you can forget about turning stuff in late. You have to have it turned in at the start of class or you are not allowed to turn it in. She's tough. Be prepared to spend some time reading and memorizing cases. If you don't have them memorized (how the court ruled and why) you are done, because you are going to need this info for her exam questions.

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Subject:

A Terrible "Teacher"(Nov 08 2003, 08:00PM)

Student:

Anonymous (Criminal Justice)

Class:

Criminal Evidence (C)

14 of 23 students found this review helpful.

Where do I begin? I cannot believe that they hired this woman. She is a terrible teacher. According to her, the textbook is always wrong and she it right, so don't bother studying what is in the book. The exams are rediculous. You can have the correct answer, but if you miss one word that she is looking for, you get penalized severely. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that there are only a few grades that she gives on graded assignments. I'm not sure that she even really reads them. If it wasn't for powerpoint and the overheads, she wouldn't know what to do in class. Avoid her at all costs!!

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Subject:

Avoid at all costs(Oct 30 2003, 09:43AM)

Student:

Anonymous (Criminal Justice)

Class:

Criminal Law and Procedure (D)

8 of 20 students found this review helpful.

Never available, constantly changing office hours. Gives very hard tests that consist of 5 m/c, which are not all that hard, 5 short answer which start easy and get increasingly harder, then 2 impossible essays which I always get killed on. She rambles on and on about stuff in class that contradicts what the book says, then tests you on a combination of what she said in class and what the book said. Has strong liberal bias. Does not like to be challenged on ambiguous exam questions. Avoid her at all costs.

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Neutral Comments

(3)

Subject:

The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but...(Feb 03 2004, 04:56PM)

Student:

Anonymous (Criminal Justice)

Class:

Crim. Law & Procedure&nbsp(A-)

10 of 17 students found this review helpful.

I think the 1st case that some people in the CJ program at Ship need to look at is once called Myth v. Reality. This class was not nearly as difficult as other people on this board would have you believe. [] If you read the book, took good notes, came to class, and asked questions about stuff you did not understand, you should have done fine. If you had plans on just BS-ing you way through, then I guess you got a much-needed wake-up call. The exams were as others have stated, M/C, short answer, and 2 essays. I thought the hardest part were the M/C, because some of the choices were very similar and I thought some questions had several correct answers, which I did not think were very fair. The short answer and essays were easy because you could actually explain your answer. As far as the office hours go, I only went there once and she was there, so I can't really say too much about that. She did change them several times, but she also told us about it in class. Things do come up at times, and you can't always be available during the times specified in the syllabus. Think about how many excuses profs get from students about things like this! There are some out of class assignments, which really suck if you work after school, but she gives alternate assignments for those of us who could not make them due to scheduling conflicts. You get extra credit, so I'd go if I were you. The book sucks, but that's not her fault. I think the note cards are a good idea, but we took notes on what the book says, which isn't a good idea. They should be based on what is said in class, because that is what you need to know for the exams. Otherwise, you end up taking notes on info that contradicts what she says, then use the bad info on the exam. You may get confused by all the different definitions of certain sections of crimes codes or of certain words, but you just have to suck it up and drive on. This is what criminal law is. It is very particular. Subtle differences of only one word can be the difference between one crime and another. You just have to know this stuff if you want to succeed, both in this class & later in your career. I think Ms. Jirard is fair, except for one M/C question that I think had 3 correct answers. Other than that, her exams were pretty straightforward...either you know the stuff or you dont', and if you don't, you are not going to BS your way through this class like you can so many others.

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Subject:

If You like a challenge...but not that hard(Jan 12 2004, 09:54PM)

Student:

Anonymous (CJ)

Class:

criminal law and procedure&nbsp(B-)

8 of 19 students found this review helpful.

This class is somewhat challenging, but if you keep up with the homework and actually read the text and go to class then you should do fine, she makes you do the spelling stuff for your own wellfare so when you leave college you dont seem like a dumb a$$, The irac form of the essays takes some getting used to, its a common used format in many law schools, but once you get used to it, then it is pretty easy. If people are upset about this class then they have a dose of reality when they get into their cj career!

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Subject:

not bad(Dec 26 2003, 01:03PM)

Student:

Trajik Majik (CRM)

Class:

CRM Law & Proc.&nbsp(C)

8 of 20 students found this review helpful.

Ok, so students are actually upset that they're being challenged...then I guess cleaning slush puppy machines at the mall is in their future. Now that we have done away with that, we can move on to Ms. Jirard. The other comments are generally accurate so far. Plenty of material to digest for class discussion, i.e., reading, review problems, and case briefs. The exams and quizzes will require a sincere effort. There may be 5 M/C ?s and 2 essays for the 2 quizzes that account for 100pts. of your grade, and like Friday says, "just the facts ma'am." The 2 exams (100pts. each) are a beefed up version of the quizzes with some added short answer questions. For the final, I can't say...I skipped it and still had no problem passing the course, but I imagine its just like all the others. Prof. Jirard isn't as scary as everyone is making her out to be, but the grading could be improved.

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